Japanese Festivals (Matsuri) Guide for Foreigners (2025)
Summer in Japan means festivals — and they’re unlike anything you’ve experienced elsewhere. But showing up unprepared means missing the best parts. This guide tells you what to wear, what to eat, and how to actually enjoy matsuri season. Major Annual Festivals by Season Spring (March–May) Cherry Blossom (花見, Hanami) March–April, timing varies by region Not a festival per se, but Japan’s biggest annual social event Gather in parks under blooming cherry trees with food, drinks, and friends Best parks: Ueno Park (Tokyo), Maruyama Park (Kyoto), Osaka Castle Park Sanja Matsuri (三社祭) ...